Hackman’s publicist Susan Madore said the star and his wife Betsy Arakawa were fiercely private

Gene Hackman’s longtime publicist Susan Madore has said the Oscar-winning star and his wife Betsy Arakawa went to great lengths to maintain their privacy towards the end of their lives.

Santa Fe Judge Matthew Wilson ultimately ruled that redacted police body camera video and other documents will be released, provided images of the couple’s bodies are not viewable.

Rolling Stone reports that during the hearing, Madore explained how Hackman once bought a plot of land next to a garbage dump because he wanted somewhere he could ride his bicycle.

“He wanted the privacy of being able to ride his bike without anyone following him or observing him,” said Madore.

The publicist added that Arakawa had phoned her after the real estate purchase because “she wanted me to be aware if anyone called asking why Mr. Hackman lived at the dump.”

Madore went on to say that CBS requested an interview with Hackman in the months before his death, but the actor turned them down.

The news outlet then indicated that they may go ahead with their coverage anyway. “When I told Gene and Betsy, they were horrified,” Madore said, adding that she asked CBS to stop pursuing the story, which they ultimately did.

The publicist was speaking in support of Hackman’s three adult children, Christopher Hackman, Elizabeth Hackman, and Leslie Allen, along with Arakawa’s mother Yoshie Feaster, who were arguing that video shot by police officers inside the couple’s home should not be released.